Shedding Mullens' contract was a no-brainer for the Clippers. He's only averaging 6.2 minutes of action through 27 appearances this season and holds a player option for next year that he's likely to exercise.

Moving him also creates another roster spot, which could prove useful when all is said and done.

Following trade deadlines, players get bought out before hitting the open market. This gives Los Angeles the option of strengthening their roster with a potential free agent it can both afford and plans to play more, or just deems a better fit overall.

What's most unclear is what the future holds for Mullens. The Philadelphia 76ers have plenty of players on their roster after a flurry of last-minute deals themselves, and there's no way Mullens fits into their rebuilding plans.

A former first-round pick, Mullens was once valued for his size and floor-spacing ability. Almost five years into his NBA tenure, the Sixers are now his fourth team, as he's been unable to make good on his alleged skill set.

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Could the Clippers be making room for another, post-deadline move?

For the Clippers, though, this is a good, pliability driven move.

With J.J. Redick out indefinitely tending to a back injury, Los Angeles now has the option of adding another perimeter-oriented player through other avenues post-deadline.

"There's no set deadline on when he's coming back," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said of Redick's return, via the Los Angeles Times. "He could be back quick or it could take a while."

At least now the Clippers have more flexibility to better plan for his absence, however long it should prove to be.